A/n: warnings for this chapter - Spoilers for all three major fandoms (like really, really big spoilers)

Words: 2540.

§§§

Percy.

They took her away.

Even though the people back at camp were arguing about who exactly took Annabeth, he knew. He knew exactly who and why they took Annabeth.

Even after everything they had done for them.

Percy didn't know what he didn't do for them. He travelled to the underworld and returned Zeus's lightning bolt, he lifted the sky, and he fought against Kronos for them. He even got kidnapped and still helped them. He fought against Gaia for them, he went to Tartarus because of them, he gave everything to them.

He risked his life and countless others for them. He and Annabeth did everything, gave everything to them.

But they took Annabeth away just because they were threatened by the changes their children were experiencing? It's not like they asked for this to happen.

They should be there for their children.

Percy knew the Gods could split themselves and be in multiple places at once. So they can go to different parties in different countries and such, but not for their children? Isn't being immortal one of the main benefits? That you would always be able to be there for your children?

But no, they would rather be at a party in Tokyo.

Percy gritted his teeth as he spread his midnight wings. His feathers ruffled as a gentle breeze rushed past him.

His sea-green eyes took on a darker shade. He had been ready to make peace with what all had happened before. All the wrongs they had done.

But they took Annabeth.

And he was going to get her back.

No matter what.

§

Annabeth.

Blood splattered on the cool glass walls. Her fists ached, and her wings were cramped and aching.

Her pearly-grey eyes were fierce and unflinching as she rammed her bruised and battered fists against the glass over and over again. She was not going to stop until those walls gave out. How dare they trap her? How dare they take her from where she slept and put her in one of those glass cages?

Like an animal.

She felt so weak. As if something was draining the very life out of her. But she kept going. Kept on punching and kicking.

‘Let me out of here.’ Her voice was a low and deadly growl. She had looked at every possible way to get out of this box.

But there just wasn't any.

She cursed whoever made this cursed box. She hadn't been put in it. No, the box was made around her. And enchanted so thoroughly, she couldn't even use her newfound powers to try and break free. She couldn't even see through the glass. But she knew they could see her.

Though there was no one in the room, she could feel many eyes on her.

Watching.

Waiting.

§

Percy.

Percy was as silent as the night as he landed on the foot of Olympus. Though his clothes, or whatever was left of them were now burnt and charred, his skin bore no bruise, no staining imperfection on his skin.

He brandished riptide as he clenched his jaw. He thought about Annabeth, his amazing Annabeth. Was this how she felt when Percy was taken?

God's, Percy thought, when he got Annabeth back, he would never, ever let either of them sleep in different cabins again.

He took in a deep breath and let himself free. Letting out a ripping roar that tore the door off its hinges.

He didn't care what they thought of him anymore. He didn't care that his own family was in that room.

All they were, were mere objects in the way of him and Annabeth. And God's help them if they got in his way.

§

The Olympian council was nervous to say the least. If the sound of the roar of possibly the most powerful man in existence didn't scare them, what would?

A hushed silence swept over the room. The only sound was the thud of fists on glass from several rooms away.

A cold laugh trickled down the hall.

Then another at the foot of the Hearth.

Then another, resonating from the domed roof.

It was everywhere.

He was everywhere.

‘Where is she?’ Percy's voice was a mere whisper in the wind, edged with a promise of violence.

The Gods looked around frantically, shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

It was Zeus who called out, ‘Who's there?’

‘Think, airhead. Maybe you'll get an answer.’ the voice muttered.

‘Jackson!’

‘Bingo.’ Percy materialized in front of the Hearth, at least twenty-five feet tall.

His hand rested on the butt of Riptide, the tip resting lazily on the cool marble floor.

‘What is the meaning of this?’ Zeus' powerful voice boomed.

Percy's stygian feathers ruffled. ‘Give her back. Then we can talk.’ his voice was carefully controlled. Though something feral lurked behind it.

‘Give who ba—’

Zeus choked.

‘Don't play dumb.’ Percy cooed, opening the fist he clenched. ‘Let me remind you, even immortals can die.’

‘You cannot—’ Hera began to object, her body going limp at one flick of Percy's wrist.

‘Should I kill her?’ Percy's sea-green eyes bore into the stormy blue ones of Zeus. Fear swirled in them.

‘You can't.’ Zeus began. ‘She—’

‘Oh, you'd like a demonstration?’ Percy stuck his index finger out. ‘Why not?’

And he slowly began to reel his finger in. Bright white light seemed to leave her body. Its tendrils raised to meet Percy's finger.

‘After all we did for you.’ Percy whispered. ‘After all we have sacrificed for you.’

Poseidon grew panicked, seeing the light flowing out of Hera. He could feel it. Feel her life force draining. ‘Son-’

‘Give her back, and I'll stop.’ he said simply.

Through whatever cruel facade Percy put up, inside - he was crumbling. Through the rage and anger, he could see the mortal part of him break as he sucked the waters of life from Hera.

He didn't want to do it. But he didn't know what else he was supposed to do to get Annabeth back. But if getting her back meant slaughtering the entire council, then he would. Without a moment's hesitation.

‘Tick, tock.’ Percy hummed as more and more light drained out of her body. Her beautiful ageless face turned huskier by the minute.

A spear, at least thirty feet long stopped a mere three inches away from Percy's face.

He slowly turned his head to see Ares, with a sword and shield in his hands. Ready for a fight.

The throw was perfect. Absolutely perfect. But Percy was cunning, he knew Ares would try to kill him. Avenge his mother and become the one who saved all of the Olympians.

‘Tch, Tch.’ Percy tutted. Turning his head back to Hera, draining her faster.

He hoped they would give up soon. He didn't want to kill Hera. No, he didn't want to stoop that low.

As Annabeth had always said to him, “A lot of causes are worth dying for, but none worth killing for.”

Ares charged toward him, as lithe as a panther.

Why fight? Percy thought. Why need I lift more than a finger?

Percy cocked his head as he pointed the tip of his sword at him. Twisting as Ares fell to his knees. All the blood in his body became stagnant.

‘Okay, stop! Stop it! I'll give her back!’ Zeus panted, beads of sweat running down his forehead.

Percy stopped what he was doing. But he didn't put the life back in Hera or release Ares. He wasn't stupid. He wasn't going to release his only bargaining chip until he had Annabeth back safely in his arms.

He cocked his head, waiting.

‘I'm not going to give her to you until you release Hera.’ Say you wanted to about Zeus. Even though he's cheated on her more times than the universe has atoms, he did love her. He did love his wife, and he did not want her to die. Even if it meant, conceding to his nephew.

In response, Percy thrust his sword into the floor, turning every stone, every object, every ornament that wasn't whatever they kept Annabeth in, to ash.

And then past the image of the Gods with their eyes wide on the ground, there was Annabeth.

With bloodied fists and a scar running down the side of her head.

Blood roared in his ears. They hurt her. They fucking hurt her.

‘Release. Her.’ He growled. ’And I might let you keep your thrones.’

Percy knew, at that moment, whatever favour he had won with the Gods had turned to ash, just like the walls in Olympus.

Scowls and hateful expressions decorated their faces as they stood slowly, tall and proud, even in their defeat.

Just like the Titans.

He remembered the story, about how Kronos ate his children because they were far more powerful than he would ever be.

He guessed that related to this moment as well.

The Gods and their parents were not as powerful as this newer breed of Gods. The Eretherals. They weren't in the control seat anymore.

Percy knew that for them that must've been frightening.

Losing control.

But he couldn't pity them. Not now. Not when they had Annabeth.

‘Now.’ He said, simply. As if he had all the time in the world.

‘When you release Hera.’ Zeus said forcefully.

‘Father—’ Athena began.

‘Silence.’

But Percy couldn't concede. He knew it was stupid, but it would make him look weak. He couldn't afford that, not when Annabeth was at stake.

‘Percy, please.’ Poseidon pleaded. Percy knew what type of position he was putting his father in. To choose between his family that he had been familiar with for aeons, or with his son who he'd only been familiar with for a bit over a decade. ‘Please son. We can still work something out if you let her go-’

But Percy didn't care anymore. Not when his own father helped in the kidnapping of his one love, his only happiness that remained in this world. His only reason to live. His everything.

‘Don't call me son.’ he said icily. ‘Not after you helped take her away.’

Poseidon said nothing.

He didn't even look guilty.

‘And do not act like you care about what happens to me.’ he added. ‘You let me fall into Tartarus without so much as a "Brace Yourself."’ he chuckled as he remembered the letter his father had sent to him after his second year at camp.

‘Let her out or she dies, Dear Uncle.’ He'd do it. He would do it for her. To get her to safety, even if it killed him inside doing this to someone. Even if that person was Hera.

Zeus seemed hesitant.

‘Let her out.’ Zeus whispered. Accepting defeat. Accepting the power Percy had over him.

Some part of him was relieved. So relieved that he almost let go of the hold he had on Hera immediately.

‘I want to see him open it.’ he nodded to the box.

‘I give you my word.’ Zeus said through gritted teeth. ‘Now let go of Hera.’

‘Your word means nothing to me, Zeus.’ Said Percy. ‘Not after you took Annabeth.’

He didn't even have the decency to look guilty.

He just nodded at Hephaestus who scowled and limped over to the box, putting his hands on it and whispering a jumbled sentence of words.

‘Théma ékdosis.’ He whispered finally, causing the walls to disappear.

Blood dripped on the ground in a sickening Thwap.

Annabeth grunted in surprise as the momentum of her fist passing through the wall caused her to topple forward.

Letting her instincts take over, she brandished a set of daggers and leapt up to point them at Hephaestus' throat, who glared at her.

Relief flooded through Percy like a tidal wave. With a dismissive wave, he released his hold on Hera and Ares and rushed to Annabeth's side.

He cupped her chin, gentler than the soft caress of a rose petal. Glaring at Hephaestus in a way that would have most mortals left in ashes.

Hephaestus didn't move. Not until Zeus motioned for him to come back.

‘Are you okay?’ he whispered finally when Hephaestus was out of earshot.

Her beautiful molten silver eyes moistened as she did her best to not look at her mother.

Percy's heart clenched painfully in his chest. He would never let the Gods have such power over them again.

Annabeth nodded dazedly.

Percy turned to face the Gods.

‘You touch any one of the campers again, and I will throw you into Tartarus myself.’ Percy's voice thundered across the mountain top.

‘You're done.’ Percy said forcefully, ‘Done.’

He turned to Annabeth and glanced at her pure white wings. She nodded, shooting into the air with a blast of wind. Percy followed suit, chasing after Annabeth at the sunset.

Maybe they could create a better world. Without all of those rules the Gods had created, maybe they could really help humanity.

Maybe it was time to bring change.

He and Annabeth circled each other, silent as they dived into Camp.

Locking eyes with Annabeth, he realised, it would be difficult - but he would get through it. With Annabeth.

She was his strength.

And he was hers.

And together they would change the world.

For better or for worse.

The End.